'Non tourist related buildings, and places of interest in Cumbria'

The purpose of this website is to introduce you to the many places of interest to the visitor to Cumbria. The page on history leads to some pages relating to the history of Cumbria, and not related to today's tourism industry. Listed below are these, and other pages that may be of interest to you [in no particular order].

• The Coop House near Longtown, north of Carlisle, is a striking example of the kind of Gothic pavilion that Georgian gentlemen liked to adorn the landscape around their houses. It was built around 1772, for the owner of nearby Netherby Hall. Now owned by the Landmark Trust, it is available for rented holiday accommodation, and is occasionally open to the public.

• The Spadeadam Rocket Establishment, near Carlisle, was opened in the late 1950s as a test area for the British Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM). This is now history, though the site is still used for experiments in electronic warfare.

• There are two Outward Bound Activity Centres in the Lake District, both located in buildings of interest.

• The two main hospitals in North West Cumbria are both 'firsts' - the first NHS hospital, and the first PFI hospital.

• The listed buildings of the UK have been photographed and put on the internet by English Heritage. This page summarises what we have in Cumbria, and will link to pictures of them in due course.

• Greta Hall in Keswick was the former home of the Lake poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey. After a period of time as part of Keswick school, it is now a private house, offering accommodation.

• The British Gypsum site at Kirkby Thore, where gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) has been quarried or mined at Kirkby Thore for over 200 years.

• The Long Meg signal box at Little Salkeld is the remaining reminder of a once thriving gypsum industry, which took place in the area.

• Moresby Hall near Whitehaven, is one of the oldest residences in the whole of Cumbria, and enjoys a grade one listing. It now offers bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation.

• I am slowly adding pages about the history of the once thriving railway industry in Cumbria - many lines were built for the passage of goods and people long distances, but many more were built simply to connect local industry to these main lines. A few survive as tourist attractions. The history of the lines documented include so far:
  • The Stainmore Railway
  • The Carlisle Settle Railway
  • The Waverley Line
  • The Lune Valley Railway
  • The Solway Junction Railway
  • Port Carlisle Line

• Thomas Mawson, (1861-1933), the founder of modern landscape architecture, had his business in Windermere, and there are several gardens described which display his efforts.

• In the Victorian era, many industrialists from Lancashire chose to build grand mansions around lake Windermere, all probably trying to impress and outdo their neighbours. This has left us a wonderul legacy of fine architecture, and many of these buildings can be seen by the public as they are now hotels, or used for purposes that give the public access.

• Toppin Castle, near Warwick Bridge is a working farm built to imitate a tower house.

• The Underground House is an eco-friendly house built into what was an old quarry site that stood on a slope of the Eden valley near Great Ormside.

• There is a menu of follies - including some unusual buildings such as the three farms in Greystoke.

• Schoose Farm, at Workington, is a model farm with a windmill.

• The architect Robert Smirke, of Cumbrian parentage, who went on to do great things - the British Museum in London, for example, received his first architectural design commission for Lowther Castle, near Penrith, and later Hames Hall in Cockermouth. His brother Sydney was responsible for 19-20 Irish St in Whitehaven.

• Another architect - Thomas Rickman, designed the Victorian extensions to the castles - Rose Castle and Scaleby Castle, both near Carlisle. Anthony Salvin was likewise responsible for extensions to many ancient properties such as Greystoke Castle near Penrith, as well as creating some new ones - such as what is now the Lakes Court Hotel by Carlisle Station.

• The artist L.S. Lowry often visited Cleator Moor, and made various pictures of West Cumbrian scenes, including
  • Wath Brow Church, Cleator Moor
  • Jane Pit, Workington

• St Michael's Church - Appleby - now a private house

• Calder Abbey Ruins - and grade 1 listed mansion

• Yanwath Hall - Cumbria's finest Pele Tower.

• Viaducts, stations, and other structures on the Carlisle Settle Railway.

• From February 2001 through to September 2001 hundreds of farms throughout Cumbria were struck with foot and mouth disease, with millions of animals killed. Since tourism in the area was discouraged and in many areas forbidden, this had a devastating effect on many rural businesses, who depended on visitors for their income.

• At several churches in Cumbria, the ancient ritual of Rushbearing Ceremonies is still held annually.

• Historically, farming, in particular of sheep, was the major industry in the region. The breed most closely associated with the area is the tough Herdwick.

• Despite much opposition, more and more windfarms are being built on the very edge of the Lake District National Park, which many think are ruining views and putting off tourists. A public enquiry was recently held into a massive windfarm at Whinash, near Tebay.

List of all places on this website.